Chance Encounters
Chapter 39
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Ranger's POV
"Who? Who's been shot? Is he alive? Is it bad?" as she buckled herself in.
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"Manuel."
We were already racing out of the parking lot. She was really anxious.
"He's alive. He'll be alright."
"Omigod! Manuel? As in Manny? Does Hector know?"
"Hector?"
"Yes, Hector."
"Why?"
"You don't know? Do you? They're partners. I'll ring him now."
She never ceases to surprise me. She is a good secret keeper.
"Wow. That's news to me but I did wonder at how well they worked together, so in tune. So, they are a couple?"
"Yes. Manny has just moved in with Hector. Oh, God. Please let Manny be okay."
"He was wearing his vest. Tank told me that he took two shots in the chest, and another, in the shoulder or upper arm. We'll soon find out."
While I manoeuvred through the traffic she talked calmly to Hector making sure he was calm in return. I know Hector can be volatile when he is angry. He doesn't do emotional shit. But this might test his resolve.
"Mi Querido. Where are you?" A pause as he responded.
"Who's driving? … Good. I'm glad Woody is with you … It's Manny. He needs you. Hector, you need to get to the Princeton Hospital. He's … he's been shot. We will be there shortly. We're on our way now."
I was amazed how calm she sounded, so caring, and quite motherly, well, sisterly, I suppose. They have such a special connection. She has the capacity to help him keep his cool as she talked quietly, soothingly. She was nodding her head as he spoke, whispering a goodbye, but making him promise to keep his cool.
She turned to me, breathing a heavy sigh.
"Thankfully he isn't driving. Woody heard the call come in and was already heading there for back up. They had just completed an installation. We'll see them at the hospital."
She muttered a prayer and grabbed my hand firmly. I squeezed it for reassurance. She was quiet for a few beats.
"Who was with Manny?"
"Zero. He called it in."
"Relax Babe. He's in the right place. We will know more when we get there.
Tank's POV
"Report!" Ranger barked.
Pfft. I was expecting that. He came in pulling Stephanie by the hand. I couldn't help but smile at that.
Stephanie squeezed his arm and he collected himself but still looked at me expectantly.
"Zero and Manuel were in the neighbourhood when the alarm sounded at one of our clients. Maxim's Hardware store. They went to investigate. Manuel was at the front while Zero checked the rear. Manuel shone his torch inside and came face to face with the burglar. The fucker looked him straight in the eye and shot him three times. Twice in the chest and the third went in his upper arm. Luckily, he was wearing a vest."
"Damnit. Have we heard from the doctor? Still doesn't tell us much. Any news or reports? A nurse? Where is Zero now? What's his status?"
So many questions.
"Zero's fine. Called it in to Rangeman. When he raced inside from the back door, upon hearing the shots, he clothes-lined the stupid little fucker, who had shot himself in the foot. He trussed him up, cuffing him to a pole under threat of death, with the stolen guns and ammo bundled up in his get-away bag. He found Manny and applied a pressure bandage to his arm and carried him to the SUV. He's watched Bobby in action so many times and did well to immobilise his arm. Zero is a big guy, but Manuel is too. Woody and Hector were on their way to secure the hardware store and for backup."
Ranger nodded his approval, knowing Zero would do his utmost for his partner. It's what we do. Back each other up.
"Call Hal. Organise another backup team. Woody and Hector are en route to the hospital."
What the fuck? I ordered them to provide backup.
"What the fuck man?!"
Stephanie stepped in front of me, the brave little Vixen, poking me in the chest, grabbing my attention instantly. She pulled me down by the shirt while speaking in hushed tones, with a definite warning. I listened intently.
"Tank … Hector," she whispered conspiratorially as I leaned down, "Hector and Manny are partners, as in … they are in a serious relationship."
Holy fucking shit! I had no idea. How does she know these things? Telling me in the strictest of confidence was a hard decision for her, I could tell. Ranger nodded knowingly.
"I think you two will need to be on stand by for my Hector so he doesn't lose his shit. You know what I mean, don't you?"
"Sure do. Gotcha. Glad you have his back, Steph. We'll be ready."
"What else do we know about Manny?"
Zero appeared from one of the bathrooms. He'd cleaned up obviously with all the blood from Manny's wound. He promptly marched over, when he saw Ranger, still drying his arms with a paper towel.
"You did well. Tank tells me you brought Manuel in yourself because the paramedics were delayed."
"Yes sir. En route, I called it in to the Princeton PD and the hospital to forewarn them of a shooting casualty. PPD said they would take care of the situation when they could. Because of a pile up on Route 1, in New Brunswick, the paramedics would be delayed so I drove here directly. Manuel was conscious and quite lucid most of the time. I kept him talking. He seemed stable but has lost a lot of blood coming in."
Stephanie was listening intently, whilst anxiously looking over her shoulder at the entrance to the waiting area. Ranger squeezed her hand to reassure her. Of course, she's watching for Hector's arrival. He will need her.
Zero continued.
"The two shots he took in the chest would have knocked him back off balance and the third in the arm … well. Still waiting. They won't give us any information. I tried. Family only. You know the drill."
"Yes. Bobby is bringing the paperwork with our medical power of attorney. They're being really tight as hell," I concurred.
I watched Stephanie disappear, surprising Ranger as well when she left his side. I gave him a raised eyebrow and got one back in return. Shortly, Stephanie came back with two coffee cups, but not moving towards us. Hmm. Curious. What's she up to? Her jacket was now tied around her waist. She deliberately walked past the nurse's station directly to the ER doors. One of the staff quickly intercepted her.
"Where are you going? You cannot go in there. Family only."
"Of course, I know that. I have a coffee for my husband," tears appearing in her stricken face. Damn! She was good. "He's the one who was shot." More tears.
"Oh. My dear. Of course. Go. Go on."
And just like that, she disappeared behind the double doors into the emergency room. I looked at Ranger and he looked at me.
"What was it you said before about feminine wiles?"
"I got to hand it to her, man. That was fucking amazing. Quick-thinking and savvy. So slick."
Zero was grinning broadly. "I like her style. Never in a million years would I have thought of that."
We tried to not let our reaction be obvious, to give her time to find Manuel.
"Proud of you, Babe." Ranger chuckled under his breath.
I marvelled at the effect she had on him. Ranger … chuckling. I shook my head in amusement. Stephanie has made an impact on all of us, a really good impact like no one could have predicted. And all by a chance encounter when we found her beside her blown up vehicle in down town Trenton.
Manny's POV
The curtains were suddenly pulled open and there was Stephanie, in tears. Oh shit. This can't be good. What's happened? Stephanie upset is scaring me. She looks so stricken and tearful. Then she surprises the hell out of me while my mind is going crazy contemplating various scenarios that could possibly have her in here, and so distraught. And the answer came shortly … Not what I was expecting.
"Oh, Manuel. Mi amor."
Mi amor?
Carefully she put the two coffee cups on the side table. More tears and sobbing as she squeezed my hand. And … did I see a wink? More tears. Yep … another wink. Ah. Okay. I can run with that. She was up to something.
"Stephanie, mi amor. You came."
Nodding her head fervently, she threw herself into my arms, which certainly was a bit tricky with one arm propped up on an extra pillow, splinted with a clean pressure bandage and the drip connected to the other arm. I winced unintentionally.
"Oh my gosh! Manuel. I'm so sorry." She lifted her head up and gently touched the two distinct bruises on my chest which she massaged so gently, and kissed each one so reverently. Damn, she's good! And damn if that didn't feel so good. I caught my hand in her crazy curls, gentling her.
"That was too close, Manuel. Far too close."
She was tracing the untouched tattoo on my chest and shoulder, and once again hovering over the two deep bruises on my mid chest area and on the right side.
"Too close," she sobbed on a whisper and I heard a whimper escape. She really is such a compassionate woman. How lucky are we to have her in our lives?
I nodded. Christ, yeah. My life had flashed before me, not for the first time. But this time, this time my emotions were more intense and the most profound that I had ever experienced before. I have Hector in my life now, the most important, most wonderful, the most essential part of my life. Stephanie looked into my eyes with those beautiful glistening blue orbs and it was like she could read my mind. She understood.
"Querida. Thank you," I whispered, with sincere gratitude. She has no idea how much it means to me with what she did just now. I know she took a gamble getting in here. Sassy and cunning this Vixen.
"Excuse me, Mrs Ramos. Mrs Ramos? We need to take your husband down for x-rays and probably prep him for surgery."
She was firm but gentle. The nurse looked at me.
"Sorry, Mr Ramos. No coffee for you until we see what's going on inside that arm. Nil by mouth because you will undoubtedly need surgery," she explained diplomatically for both our sakes.
I had to suppress a chuckle when Stephanie didn't immediately respond to her "married" name at the first call, but it all helped with maintaining the distraught wife image. I smiled indulgently at her, holding her hand and squeezing it. She nodded sorrowfully at the nurse, who softened her look seeing those gorgeous blue eyes.
"I'll be alright, Dulce. It's just a flesh wound." I said softly, reassuring her. "I have had far worse."
She rolled her eyes at me and surprised me with a sweet kiss on the lips. I reluctantly let go of her hand with a final squeeze of reassurance as I was being wheeled away by the burly ER ward orderly.
"Tell Hector I love him," I implored.
She nodded, blinking away the tears. "I will, I will."
"Mrs Ramos. He's in good hands. Go to the waiting room and we'll give you an update as soon as we can."
The other nurse escorted her out the other way, through the curtains. Stephanie finger-waved me blowing a little kiss on two fingers to me as I rounded the corner and out of sight.
Nurse's POV
Damn. What a lucky girl. The best ones are always taken. Either that or they are gay! Damnit. What I'd do to swap places with her. And how cute was that? He's worried about their little boy, Hector. He must be a great daddy too. Yep. The best are always taken. Sigh.
As I shepherded Mrs Ramos back to the waiting room, I was greeted by an amazing sight. Be still my ovaries. I resisted the urge to clutch my heart. Da-yam! I really need to get laid. So much eye candy. Good thing I did not swap shifts with Angela after all. She would have rubbed it in, like last time. Well, Miss Angela. Payback is a bitch, and mine is so much better than yours, ba-itch! I chuckled as my client fell into place with her hunky spunky friends.
I wonder if any of them are available? They were like big, big brothers, their concern for her was so sweet to see. Sigh. I ventured back to the nurse's station, where the others were all abuzz with the muscular eye candy, but still maintaining an outwardly professional appearance. Hell. We are human after all! The ward manager sent three of us on our break. I think we all have whiplash!
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TBC
And this was why Manny's story was so important, keeping a little bit of canon, but … there will be no Scrog in this story.
Be safe and well.
